Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- The High Court on Monday heard testimony from journalist Bakary Mankang, who described how interviews he conducted with two key individuals produced statements now under scrutiny in the ongoing trial of Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang.
The case concerns the September 2023 killing of two police officers and the wounding of another at the Sukuta–Jabang Traffic Lights. Ousainou Bojang faces charges including murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, while his sister Amie is accused of assisting him afterward. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Since its opening, the trial has examined multiple witnesses from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) and the army. The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) A.M. Yusuf, has relied on witness statements, cautionary statements, and documentary evidence.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh rejected a cautionary statement attributed to Ousainou Bojang for failing to meet legal standards. The defence, represented by Lamin J. Darboe (first accused) and Adama Sillah (second accused), has argued that gaps in evidence, missing witnesses, and procedural lapses undermine the State’s case.
In July 2025, the court allowed the defence to summon Lance Corporal Omar S. Jallow, a soldier previously named by the prosecution but not yet called, reinforcing the accused’s constitutional right to call all relevant witnesses.
DW10 Testimony: Interviews, Recordings, and Statements
Testifying as the tenth defence witness (DW10), journalist Bakary Mankang said he became involved after interviewing Mama Jarju (PW3) shortly after her return to The Gambia with Ousainou Bojang on September 14, 2023.
He said that on the morning of September 15, he met Jarju at President Adama Barrow’s sister’s residence in Yarambaba, where she spoke about Ousainou’s arrival and interactions with her. According to Mankang, Jarju said that Ousainou confessed to killing two police officers at the Sukuta traffic-lights.
Following the publication of that interview, Mankang traveled to Jululung to verify Jarju’s claims with individuals she had mentioned, including Alfusainey and Yaye Faal. He sought permission from the local Alkalo. Mankang said was accompanied by colleague Lamin Fatty of Kerr Fatou.
Mankang testified that Alfusainey initially insisted that he already spoke with the police and was instructed to not talk to anyone again. But after receiving a call from the Alkalo, said he said Ousainou had come seeking a marabout and was directed to Mama’s compound. But once filming began, Alfusainey’s account shifted.
“As soon as the camera came on, Alfusainey said Ousainou told him he killed two people in The Gambia and needed help to which he redirected him to Mama Jarjue. He however stated that Mama later called him saying the man he sent to her had confessed to the killings,” Mankang told the court.
When asked if he had copies of the interviews, Mankang confirmed both edited and unedited versions are available online and on his device and said he could provide them to the court.
Justice Jaiteh requested that the unedited interviews with Mama Jarju and Alfusainey be submitted for review. DPP noted that the witness might not currently have the unedited copies, to which the witness replied he has them all and can submit them upon request. Defence lawyers supported the order.
The court adjourned the matter to October 13, 2025, for DW10’s continued testimony and the presentation of the videos.
